Cork Airport: Calls for Transatlantic Flights to Boost Growth

Cork Airport Eyes Transatlantic Flights Amid Expansion

Cork Airport is positioning itself for significant growth with a €200 million capital development plan, and a renewed push for transatlantic flights is gaining momentum. Veteran aviation executive Pádraig Ó Céidigh is advocating for direct routes to the United States, arguing that the region’s passenger base and economic potential now support such services.

The airport’s expansion, announced late last year, aims to increase passenger capacity to five million annually. Ó Céidigh, who previously led the expansion of regional airline Aer Arran, believes transatlantic connectivity is the next logical step for Cork. He revealed past discussions with former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Minister Seamus Brennan regarding establishing flights between Cork and the US, with preliminary assessments confirming the feasibility of Boeing 757 operations at the airport.

While Aer Arran ultimately decided against pursuing transatlantic routes due to perceived risks at the time, Ó Céidigh points to the airport’s “unprecedented growth” as a key factor in changing the equation. He highlighted the substantial transatlantic traffic originating from Dublin – approximately two million passengers annually – and Shannon Airport, which handles around 330,000 to 350,000 passengers. Cork Airport currently serves around 3.5 million passengers overall.

“I believe Cork Airport and the Cork region, economically, socially, tourism and so on, would hugely benefit from a transatlantic flight in and out of Cork,” Ó Céidigh stated in an interview on Cork’s 96FM. “You’ve got the population in and around there. Shannon has transatlantic and fair play to them, I’m delighted to have it, it’s really important for the west of Ireland. But I think the growth for Cork is transatlantic in and out of America.”

Cork Airport previously operated a direct transatlantic service to Boston with Norwegian Air Shuttle, a budget Scandinavian airline, from 2017 to 2019. The discontinuation of that route underscores the challenges of sustaining transatlantic services from regional airports, particularly with budget carriers. However, Ó Céidigh suggests the current growth trajectory of Cork Airport could provide a more stable foundation for a new attempt.

The airport’s capital development plan is expected to enhance facilities and capacity, though specific details regarding new routes remain undisclosed. The success of any future transatlantic service will likely depend on securing a suitable airline partner and demonstrating sufficient demand to ensure long-term viability. The airport is currently focused on implementing its expansion plans, and it remains to be seen whether transatlantic operations will be a part of its future.